USA > Indiana > Shelby County > History of Shelby County, Indiana : from the earliest time to the present, with biographical sketches, notes, etc., together with a short history of the Northwest, the Indiana Territory, and the State of Indiana > Part 25
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The Shelbyville Lateral Branch, connecting Shelbyville with the Madison & Indianapolis road at Edinburg, was located in the vear 1846, and completed in 1849-50. Length 16 miles. Major John Hendricks was first president. This was the second railroad con- structed in the State of Indiana. and the third one in the United States west of Cincinnati - Madison & Indianapolis being the first, and the Louisville & Portland the second.
The second railroad, the Rushville & Shelbyville, nineteen miles in length, and also the Knightstown & Shelbyville, twenty- five miles in length, were located in 1847, and completed at about the same time as the lateral branch. The first President and projector of the Knightstown road was Henry B. Hill, of Carthage. Dr. Helm was first President of Rushville & Shelbyville road.
The branch connecting Shelbyville and Edinburg, as well as the Knightstown road, were abandoned after being successfully operated for a few years. About the time of the abandonment of the old road, what is now known as the Cambridge City Branch of the Jef- fersonville. Madison & Indianapolis Road was completed. This inter- sects the main road at Columbus. and the Pan Handle Railroad at Cambridge City. and all being under the management of the Penn- sylvania Company, these connections furnish many advantages to passengers as well as shippers.
The Cincinnati, Indianapolis. St. Louis & Chicago Railroad was commenced at Lawrenceburg, in the fall of 1849, and completed through 'Shelby County in 1853. It was at that time known as the Indianapolis, Cincinnati & Lafayette Railroad. The projector and first President was Hon. George H. Dunn, of Lawrenceburg, "from whose indefatigable industry and perseverance, Shelby County has derived more substantial benefit in her material interests than from the labor of any other single individual in the State." To
.
287
COUNTY ORGANIZATION.
those who will succeed the present generation, and especially to the farmers of Shelby County, it may be interesting to know that be- fore construction of railroads. corn was a drug at 10 cents per bushel: wheat. 35 to 40 cents: pork. $1.50 to $2 per one hundred pounds. net: good beef steak 212 to 3 cents per pound, and other products in proportion.
The company's lines ( either owned or controlled ) gave the peo- ple of Shelby County direct communication with four of the largest western cities, viz .: Chicago, St. Louis, Cincinnati and Indianapolis. Thus enabling them to transport, directly, the products of the farm, factory and shop to the best markets of the world. Equal advan- tages are afforded to the traveling public, five trains being run each way daily. Parlor cars, reclining chair cars and Pullman sleepers are among the accommodations provided. The C .. I., St. L. & C. with its lateral branch extending from Fairland to Martinsville via Franklin: the J., M. & I., and the Cincinnati, Hamilton and Indian- apolis, which runs across the northeast corner of the county, a dis- tance of about ten miles, give the people of Shelby County, in the aggregate, about sixty-five miles of railroad.
Elcctions. The following tables of the elections have been compiled from the county records and other available sources. None but the Presidential votes are given, and those prior to 1832 could not be found :
NOVEMBER, 18.2.
TOWNSHIPS.
DEMOCRAT. Jack .on
WHIG. Cav and
Van Buren.
Sergeant.
Hanover
l mon
43
Shelby
5!
Morat
55
5
Sugar Creek
14
9
A Id.son
198
liberty
30
Nube .
3 )
Jackson.
Feming
lle. dricks
10
Totals
733
4.55
NOVEMBER, 1>40.
TOWNSHIPS.
DEMOCRAT. Van Buren and
WHIG.
Harrison and . Tyl .I.
Moral
119
53
Hanover.
117
152
Marion
37
30
Union
41
C5
N. bl .
11}
Jacks n
139
122
Hend: icks
43
20
Sugar Creek
40
Addison
326
313
1
Totals
1,070
1,016
NOVEMBER, 1836.
TOWNSHIPS.
DEMOCRAT. Van Buren
WHIG
Moral
85
Han er
97
128
Marion.
17
:9
Liberty
12
52
Noble ...
30
Jackson
54
53
Hendricks
23
12
Sugar Creek.
19
Addison
221
231
Totals
675
688
NOVEMBER, 1844.
TOWNSHIPS.
DEMOCRAT.
WHIG.
P.1k
Clay
anul
an 1
Dal as.
Frelinghuysen
Moral ..
137
+ 0
H mover
71
101
Marion
44
Urin .
103
Lite ty
85
92
Noble ..
123
169
Jackson
1-2
135
He dri ks.
116
50
Addison
1 6
209
--
Brandywine.
104
43
Van Buren.
75
43
Totals.
1,340
1,107
Johnson.
Har. ison and Granger. 9
U io ...
-
sugar Creek
9
Liberty
John-o.I.
288
SHELBY COUNTY.
NOVEMBER, 1848.
TOWNSHIPS.
DEMOCRAT. Cass and
WHIG.
FREE SOIL Van Buren
and
Fillmore. Adams.
Moral
Butl.r. 138
56
4
Hanover
53
105
Marion
68
49
10
Liberty
10
101
Noble ..
111
100
Jackson.
123
97
Hendricks
118
Sugar Creek ..
96
50
Noble
119
98
Addison.
91
9.)
Brandywine ..
110
3:2
Van Buren ....
91
Totals ....
1,411
1,122
18
NOVEMBER, 1852.
TOWNSHIPS.
DEMOCRAT. Pierce and
WHIG. Scott and Graham. 380
Hale and
Ad.lison ..
307
Bran lywine .
123
47
Hendricks .
108
85
Hanover
Jackson.
126
85
Liberty
1:7
102
Moral
175
45
1
Marion ..
72
63
I'mon. ...
110
63
11
Van Biren ...
91
Washington ..
89
111
Totals ..
1,627
1,286
NOVEMBER, 1855.
DEMOCRATIC.
Buchanan and Breckenridge. 2,075
REPUBLICAN. Fremont and Dayton. 1,510
AMERICAN Filunore and Donelson. 142
County
NOVEMBER, 1860.
TOWNSHIPS.
INDEPENDENT DEMOCRATIC. Douglas and John. on.
REPUBLICAN. Lincoln and Hamlin.
DEMOCRATIC. Breckenridge
UNION. Bell and Everett.
Jackson
165
1(3
Washington
117
145
1
1
Noble ..
184
131
1
Lit erty
161
97
Addis''n ..
433
5.20
15
6
Hendrieks ..
180
13'
3
3
Sugar Creek
116
94
10
5
Brandywine
135
70
Marion
88
Union
102
164
1
1
Van Buren
75
127
1
3
Moral
193
112
6
Totals
2.017
1,900
43
NOVEMBER, 1864.
TOWNSHIPS.
REPUBLICAN. Lincoln and Johnson.
DEMOCRATIC. Mc Clellan and Pendleton.
Jackson.
76
191
Washington.
141
135
Noble .
13]
202
Noble
217
136
Liberty.
109
181
Liberty
227
92
Addison
493
428
Addison
331
550
Hendricks
143
184
Sugar Creek
61
135
Sugar Creek ,
163
Brandy wine
89
88
Marion
99
109
Union . .
132
91
Union . .
102
152
Hanover
148
87
Hanover
140
193
Van Buren.
134
80
Van Buren
102
156
Mo:al .
103
211
Moral .
237
12
Totals.
1,837
2, 223
NOVEMBER, 1868.
TOWNSHIPS.
DEMOCRATIC. Seymour and Blair.
REPUBLICAN. Grant and Colfax.
Jackson
232
85
Washington.
142
168
Hendricks
210
128
Brandywine
187
103
Totals.
2,592
2,069
1
Sugar Creek.
106
50
Washington
Union .
103
108
Julian.
King.
FREE SOIL.
Taylor and
160
Marion.
128
Lane.
1
Hanover
211
289
COUNTY ORGANIZATION.
NOVEMBER, 1872.
TOWNSHIPS.
LIBERAL REPUBLICAN. Greeley and
REPUBLICAN.
TOWNSHIPS.
DEMOCRATIC. Tilden and
REPUELICAN .. Hayes and
Jackson
256
Washing'on.
172
190
Washington.
112
1:0
Noble
205
143
Liberty
241
96
Addison
636
630
Hendrick ..
265
145
Hendricks
211
1:3
Sugar Creek
175
Brandywine
170
92
Marin
102
94
Union
100
147
Hanover
:19
218
Van Buren
113
155
Moral ..
110
115
Totals
2,581
2,151
NOVEMBER, 1884.
TOWNSHIPS.
REPUBLICAN. Blame and Logan
DEMOCRAT. Cleveland and
Jacks 11
112
2:4
washington
232
191
Nobl- .
137
286
St. Paul .. ..
51
152
Geneva
101
111
3
Liberty -
10;
174
1
Cynthiana ..
30
120
Addison -
460
526
G
Un on
150
189
Hanover
$62
191
Van Buren.
195
136
Moral
138
254
Hendricks
171
2.5
Sugar Creek ..
100
×16
Brandy wine
109
228
16
Totals.
2801
3366
Marion ..
111
114
Union
154
137
3
Ilanover
252
181
Van Buren.
187
152
6
Moral
167
2.15
6
Tutils
2643
3555
IND. Weaver and
Ch.mbers.
5
Washington ....
216
182
Noble -
Liberty
129
239
A Idison
$09
689
Shelby
129
920
Sugar Creek.
96
181
Brandywine
109
213
Marion .
139
99
West.
323
Hendricks -
East .
91
5
West
90
182
1
Union
123
166
Hanover
170
Van Buren
125
170
Moral
251
141
Totals
3. 183
2 747
NOVEMBER, 1880.
TOWNSHIP 3.
REP. Garfield and
DEM. Hancock
Grant and
Brown.
Wilson.
Jackson
86
141
Liberty ...
2 9
115
Addison
809
660
Sugar Creek
1: 8
Brandywine
201
91
Marion
113
Hendricks ..
Jackson. ...
Arthur. 06
and
English. 27.1
NOVEMBER, 1876.
Hendricks.
Wherler. 98
COUNTY OFFICERS.
Recorders .- William II. Sleeth, from 1822 to 1835 : Milton Rob- bins, from 1835 to 1842: John S. Campbell, from 1842 to 1855; James Milleson, from 1855 to 1859; David Louden, from 1850 to IS67: Cyrenus Bishop, from 1867 to 1871; Thomas J. Cherry, from 1871 to 1875: A. V. Robins, from 1875 to 1879: E. L. Davi- son, 1879 to ISS3; Barney Worland, ISS3 to 1887; William J. Bux- ton, present.
Auditors .- Voorhes Conover, from 1840 to 1847: John H. Stew- art, from 1847 to 1851: John J. White, from 1851 to 1859; Squire L. Vanpelt, from 1859 to 1867; Robert W. Wiles, from 1867 to 1875: George W. Isley, from 1875 to 1879: J. L. Carson, 1879 to ISS3; James Wiles, 1883 to 1887; William F. Handy, present.
Waldion
East
290
SHELBY COUNTY.
Treasurers .--- William Davis, 1822-23: Elijah Mayhew, IS23- 39: Thomas II. Fleming, 1839-42: Levi Lainger, 1842-44: John Cartmill, 1844-50: Alexander Miller. 1850-54; Isaac 1I. Wilson, I854-56: Elias M. Wilson, 1856-60; Andrew J. Winterowd, 1860- 62; William M. Phillips, 1862-66; Fountain G. Robinson, 1866-70; James M. Sleeth. 1870-74: James O. Parrish, 1874-79; E. B. Ami- den, 1879-83; David Tull, 1883-85: Michael Posz, 1885 to present. Commissioners .- William Goodrich, Calvin Kinsley, Alexander Vanpelt, Elias Millikin, Elijah Tyner, David Fisher, Joseph Daw- son, Adam Mow, Ashbel Stone. V. Conover, John Sleeth, James Robertson, W. A. Doble, Hugh Campbell, George Conger, Jacob Fox. John Kern, Gideon Stafford, James Rule. Thomas Clayton, Samuel Montgomery, Henry Buck, Moses P. Higgins, Alexander Cory. J. J. Curtis, John McConnell, George W. Davis, William S. Ensley, C. Girton. George Senior, Edmund Cooper, St. Claire En- siminger, Louis Fessenbeck, Ithamer Davison, N. Bailey, D. T. Culbertson, A. P. Wortman, George Cuskaden, Hiram Drake, W. H. Barlow, II. H. Torline, J. S. Carpenter, Alfred Fox, J. W. Harrell and Michael Garling.
State Senators. James Gregory, 1825-31 ; Thomas Hendricks, 1831-34: William Fowler, 1834-36: John Walker, 1836-40: Joseph B. Nickall, 1840-43; John Y. Kennedy, 1843-46: Augustus C. Handy, 1846-49; James M. Sleeth, 1849-53: George W. Brown, 1853-57; David S. Gooding, 1857-61: Martin M. Ray, 1861-65; James L. Mason, 1865 69: Thomas G. Lee. 1869-71: Oliver J. Glessner, 1871-75; R. M. Slater, 1875; C. B. Tarlton, 1875-79; T. M. Howard, 1879-1887.
Representatives in Indiana Legislature .- Thomas Hendricks, 1823-26; Lewis Morgan. 1826-27: John Smiley, 1827-28; Sylvan B. Morris, 1828-29: Rezin Davis, 1829-30; John Smiley, 1830-31; Sylvan B. Morris, 1831-32: Rezin Davis, 1832-34: Jacob Shank, 1834-35; John Walker, 1835-36: Erasmus Powell and Edward Gird, 1836-37: William J. Peaslee and Joseph B. Nickoll, 1837-38: William J. Peaslee and Erasmus Powell, 1838-39; William W. McCoy and Joshua B. Lucas, 1839-41 : in the session of 1839, Wil- liam J. McCoy and Balis Coats : in the session of 1840-41, William W. McCoy and Joshua B. Lucas; John Hendricks, 1841-42; Fletcher Tevis, 1842-43; Augustus C. Handy, 1843-45; James M. Sleeth, I845-46; James M. Sleeth, 1846-47; William Major, 1847-48; Thomas A. Hendricks, 1848-49; George W. Brown, 1849-51; William Major, 1851-54: Samuel Donelson, 1853-55: Thomas A. McFarland, 1855-59: John L. Montgomery, 1859-61 : Jacob Mutz, 1861-65; James Harrison, 1865-67: George C. Thatcher, 1867-69; Isaac Odell, 1869-71 ; James J. Curtis, 1871-73; Samuel D. Speell-
Am Cotton (DECEASED)
ATONS
293
COUNTY ORGANIZATION.
man, 1873-75: William Patterson, 1875-77; Cris Gerton, 1877-79; Squire L. Vanpelt, 1879-SI; Edmund Cooper, 1881-83: Jacob Mutz, 1883-85: Thomas Hoban, 1885-87: Charles Major, 1887-89. joint Representatives .- N. B. Berryman, 1880-82; B. S. Sut- ton, 1882-84: Sid. Conger, 1886-88.
Clerks .- Hiram Aldredge, from 1822 to 1829; S. B. Morris, from 1829 to 1843: Jacob Vernon, from 1843 to 1855: Alexander Miller, from 1855 to 1859: William C. Miller, 1858-1859: Alonzo Blair, from 1859 to 1867: Jacob G. Wolf, from 1867 to 1871: John Elliott, from 1871 to 1875: B. S. Sutton, from 1875 to 1879: Fred. H. Cheuden, 1879-1883: A. J. Gorgas, 1883-1886; Chas. J. Fastlaben, 1886: T. S. Jones. present.
Sheriffs .- Sevier Lewis, 1822, died in office; Isaac Templeton appointed to serve unexpired term; John Walker, from 1826 to 1830: Jacob Shank, from 1830 to 1834; Elisha Baker, 1834-38; John Stewart, from 1838 to 1842; Apollo Kinsley, from 1842 to 1844: Alexander Miller, from 1844 to 1848; William Wood, from 1848 to 1854: S. L. Vanpelt, from 1854 to 1858; H. HI. Bogess, from 1858 to 1860: Henry Doble, from 1860 to 1864: E. B. Ams- den, from 1864 to 1868: John Hoop, from 1868 to 1870; Ithamar Spurlin, from 1870 to 1872; T. II. Lee. 1872-76; Albert W. McCorkle, 1876-1880: James Brown, ISSO-1882; Sid. Conger, 1882-1884: James Magill, 1884-1886: Henry Meer, 1886-ISSS.
Circuit fudges .- William W. Wick, 1822; B. F. Morris, 1825; William W. Wick, 1835: James Morrison, 1839; William J. Peas- lee, 1843: William W. Wick, 1850; William M. McCarty, 1853; Reuben D. Logan, 1853: Jeremiah M. Wilson, 1866; S. P. Oyler, 1869; D. D. Banta, 1870: K. M. Hord, IS76.
Associate Judges .- John Sleeth, Wm. Goodrich, 1822; Joseph Dawson, 1825; A. Williams, 1826; Ira Bailey, Thomas Cotton, I836: Joshua B. Lucas, 1843; Jacob Kennerly, 1850; David Thatcher, Calville Pierce, 1851.
Probate fudges .- Erasmus Powell, 1822-36; Jacob Kennerly, 1836-43: William H. Sleeth, 1843-50; Cyrus Wright, 1850-53.
Common Pleas .- Jas. M. Sleeth, 1853: Geo. A. Buskirk, 1861; O. J. Glessner, 1865; Tos. W. Wollen, 1868: R. L. Coffey, 1870.
Coroners .- Major John Hendricks, Major Joseph B. Nickel, John Dargin, William Rock, James Marshal Elliot, Edward Win- chel, William Richard Norris, John Hoop.
Surveyors .- William H. Miller, (Jerry) Jeremiah Dugan, Charles F. Webster, George S. Murphy, William II. Isley, Thomas Finley.
Medical Profession .-- The practice of the "healing art" has an antiquity co-existant with the prevalence of diseases to which the
4
294
SHELBY COUNTY.
human family have been subject in all time past, and the degree of proficiency attained has always depended upon the activity and zeal of the members of the profession. To secure the knowledge indis- pensable to the proper treatment of human ailments and the restora- tion of the organic functions to their normal condition, union of effort and mutuality of counsel have been universally acknowledged as essential. This would suggest the necessity for the organiza- tion of societies in which members may meet, and by a comparison of individual experiences deduce the most practical methods.
Early in the fifties an effort was made by a few of the leading physicians of Shelbyville to organize upon a pernament foundation, and although the organization was effected its existance was but temporary.
What was known as the Shelby County Medical Society, with headquarters at Morristown, was organized April 3, 1854. The membership of this society was made up of the following physicians who lived in the northern portion of the county: D. S. McGauhey, J. G. Wolf, J. M. Adams, J. H. Spurrier, F. M. Pollitt, W. W. Rigdon and T. M. Stevens. The first officers were Dr. D. S. McGauhey, President: J. M. Adams, Secretary: J. G. Wolf and W. W. Rigdon, Censors: and J. II. Spurrier, Treasurer. This organization continued until 1864, a period of ten years, when it disbanded and has never since been revived.
Of the early history of the profession, but little can be said. There having been no early organization, there is in consequence no record from which the data may be obtained. It is remembered by the oldest residents that the first to offer his professional ser- vices to the people of Shelby County was Dr. James Kipper, who came probably, as early as 1820. He was a man of very ordinary ability, with very little professional learning. although he is said to have been reasonably successful in the treatment of diseases most prevalent in those days. Dr. Sylvan B. Morris came the following vear, 1821, and opened an office in the house of Alexander Van Pelt, at the mouth of Conn's Creek. The next year, 1822, he moved to Shelbyville, where he remained until his death, 1843. Dr. Morris was a native of Pennsylvania, but spent the greater part of his boyhood days in Warren County, Ohio. He was one of the best educated of all the early physicians of the county, be- ing a literary graduate of Lebanon Academy, and a medical grad- uate of the famous Jefferson Medical College of Philadelphia. Dr. John T. Kennedy came in IS28. He was a surgeon in the War of 1812, a man of much intellectual force and a very success- ful practitioner. Drs. Archibald Smith and Edward Beall came a few years earlier.
.
295
COUNTY ORGANIZATION.
Others who may be classed among the pioneer physicians are as follows: Drs. Harrison (a son of Gen. Harrison). Nathaniel Teal, Homberg, Cummins. Davison Gaskell Free, W. W. McCoy, Albert G. Webb, John Forbes. George Fleming. Charles Fishback, Graham, Sanders, Cull, McGauhey. Elder. Milton Robins and Samuel D. Day. The two last named are still living in Shelbyville.
In the history of the profession in Shelby County there is little that may be said. The incidents of the early practice are similar to those of all western communities. Milk sickness, a disease now unknown to the profession, was prevalent in some localities in the latter part of the thirties. Of the disease, but little was known, further than that it was by drinking the milk or eating the meat of cattle that were afflicted with a disease of the same name. The disease was not necessarily fatal. but the rate of mortality was con- siderable. In 1845. the black tongue prevailed; cholera in 1850; a malignant form of dysentery in 1851, and cholera again in 1866. The " chills and fever," was the most prevalent, and gave the set- tlers the most inconvenience. It was a terror to new-comers: in fact but few of any class escaped. It was not contagious, but de- rived from impure water and air, which are always developed in the opening up of a new country. The impurities were absorbed from day to day until the whole body became saturated with the poison, and then the shock came. It had a fixed beginning and ending, coming, generally, on alternate days with a regularity that was surprising. After the shock came a fever that was burning- hot and lasted for hours. When a person had the chill, he couldn't get warm. and when he had the fever, he couldn't get cool. The patient felt languid and stupid: back was out of fix, the head ached and the appetite was crazed. The eves had too much white in them, the ears. especially after taking quinine, had too much roar in them, and the whole body and soul were entirely woe- begone, disconsolable, sad, poor and good for nothing. It is claimed by one of the pioneer physicians that there was not a sin- gle person who lived in the county, during the decade of the fifties, that was not a victim of this malady. The patients, after a long continued struggle. became weak. emaciated and thin, and the fol- lowing can hardly be said to be a picture of the imagination :
" And to-day the swallows flitting, Round my cabin see me sitting; Moodily within the sunshine, Just inside my silent door; Waiting for the ' Ager,' seeming Like a man forever dreaming;
And the sunlight on me streaming, Throws no shadows on the floor; For I am too thin and sallow, To make shadows on the floor - Nary a shadow any more."
296
SHELBY COUNTY.
Those physicians who have obtained license to practice in the county under the operations of the acts of Legislature of 1885, are as follows: W. T. Knapp, the Starling Medical College: T. C. Kennedy, Kentucky School of Medicine: Morris Drake. Ohio Med- ical College: W. G. McGadden, Jefferson Medical College, Phila- delphia: J. E. Inlow: W. M. Pierson, Indiana Medical College; Geo. W. Fleming, Bellevue: R. R. Washburn: W. W. Keeling, Ecleclic Institute, Ohio: W. B. Gordon, Ohio Medical College; W. F. Green, Rush Medical College: John W. Snider, Rush Med- ical College: H. Comstock, Ohio Medical College: S. A. Kennedy, Ohio Medical College; W. M. Ford, University of Louisville; I. W. Trees, Indiana Medical College: James K. Stewart, Ohio Medical College, John W. Parrish, Eclectic Institute: H. Wray, H. Smith; Joseph Bowlby, Ohio Medical College: R. M. Floyd; Thomas K. Rubish, Indiana Medical College: J. N. Lucas, Medi- cal College, Cincinnati: James A. Comstock, Rush Medical Col- lege: John F. Maddox, Eclectic Medical College; J. R. Jenkins, Miami Medical Institute: Fredrick Dickman; I. H. Drake, Hudson Medical College; T. J. McClain, Indiana Medical College: I. W. Inlow; James M. Adams; John Lowden, Eclectic Medical College, Ohio: S. S. Salisbury; Samuel A. Kennedy, Ohio Medical College; John Perry, Cincinnati Medical College: M. K. Gilmore, University of Michigan: J. P. Robins, Ohio Medical College: J. G. Wolf, Jefferson Medical College, Pennsylvania: G. G. Winter: R. D. Raynes; James W. Green, Rush Medical College: John E. Mc- Gaughey, Bellevue Hospital; J. M. Larimore, University of Iowa; H. M. Connelly, Indiana Medical College: M. P. Howard, Sr., Indiana Medical College; T. S. Jones, University of Penn- sylvania; F. F. Whetzel, Indiana Medical College: J. H. Al- exander, Ohio Medical College: J. P. Howard, Jr., Indiana Med- ical College: F. M. Howard, Cincinnati College of Medicine and Surgery: J. W. Howard, Medical College of Indiana; Ira C. Fisher, Medical College of Indiana; D. J. Ballard, Cincinnati College of Medicine; George S. Crawford. Medical College of Indiana; J. W. Spicer, Cincinnati College of Medicine; John F. Taylor, Ohio Med- ical College; Emma E. Coleman, Eclectic Medical College: G. P. Ruby, New York Homeopathic College; John B. Stewart: W. R. Bentley, Homeopathic Medical College: J. H. Sanford: J. W. See- man, Indiana Medical College: H. W. Hendricks, American Medi- cal College: Robert S. McCray, Indiana Medical College: T. H. Rucker: Edward F. Wells, Indiana Medical College: D. A. Pete- grew, Indiana Medical College: U. Stackhouse, Indiana Medical College; William T. Shrout, Eclectic Medical College, Richmond, Va .; James Carter, Indiana Medical College; Charles A. Tindall,
297
COUNTY ORGANIZATION.
Eclectic Medical College, Cincinnati; E. W. Leech, Eclectic In- stitute, Cincinnati.
Agricultural Societies .- The most important of the occupations into which the labors of mankind are divided is that of agriculture. This is true not only because a larger per cent. of the population is engaged in tilling the soil, but because it forms the basis of the pros- perity of every country. It has long since been conceded that intel- ligence is as necessary on the part of those engaged in the cultivation of the soil as in the other vocations of life. It is for the dissemination of knowledge and the diffusion of better methods among the far- mers that agricultural societies have been established and maintained throughout the State. There is no doubt that through the agency of these societies, great changes have been wrought during the latter half of the present century. No considerable progress was made in the organization and maintenance of agricultural societies until the enactment of a law, February 14, 1851, providing for the encouragement of the same. A State Board of Agriculture, with Gov. Joseph A. Wright as President, was organized pursuant to this act, and through the influence of said board many district and county societies were formed.
The preliminary arrangements for the organization of an agri- cultural society in Shelby County, were perfected at a meeting held in the old court house in the summer of 1848. Forty acres of land lying southeast of the present site of the Shelby distillery was pur- chased by the association, and the first fair was held, probably, in the fall of the following year, 1849. After the enactment of Feb- ruary, 1851, went into effect, an association was organized on a different basis. The following historical sketch of the society was contributed to the report of the State Board of Agriculture, for 1854, by L. J. Hackney, Esq., Secretary of the Association :
" I have had an opportunity recently to observein abstract form the progress of agriculture in this county since the 25th day of October, 1851, when the citizens friendly to agricultural improve- ment met at the court house and selected Rev. David Whitcomb to preside over the meeting, and David Thatcher, then editing and publishing the Volunteer, was chosen secretary. A society was formed, and November 1, 1851, the venerable Judge J. M. Sleeth, for a committee, reported a constitution, and Thomas A. Hendricks, Martin M. Ray and James Elliott, reported by-laws. A librarian was one of the officers of the society, and it was made his duty to subscribe for all such books and periodicals for the use of members as might be ordered, and to keep a register of the receipt and the re- turn of the same by members. A committee was required to furnish two columns of agricultural news weekly to the Volunteer, and the
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SHELBY COUNTY.
librarian ordered to subscribe for the Cultivator, $1.00; Horticultur- alist, $3.00: The Plow, 50 cents: The Prairie Farmer, $1.00: The Plow, the Loom and the Anvil, $2.00; Western Horticultural Re- view, $3.00: Ohio Agriculturalist, $1.00: Journal of Agriculture, $2.00: Pennsylvania Farm Journal, $1.0; American Farmer, $1.00: Indiana Farmer, $1.00; Ohio Cultivator, $1.00. On the first Saturday in February, 1852, Governor Wright and W. T. Dennis, addressed the society. In the moldy old volumes where this record is found, is a list of the premiums offered at the first fair of the pioneer society and it covers less than five and a half pages, written, in the book, SxIo inches. and comprising farms, crops, horses. jacks and mules, cattle, hogs, sheep, fowls, fruits, farming implements, flowers and domestic manufactures. In the first is a sensible award. though abandoned by modern manage- ment, ' the best arranged and cultivated farm, a silver cup worth $10: for second best, Stephen Farm book and a diploma.' The Farmers' Encylopedia, Coleman European Agriculture, Ameri- can Farm Book, silver cups, spoons and butter knives, etc., consti- tuted the premiums. In 1852. and 1853. these pages show that much annoyance was experienced by 'huckstering near the fair grounds.'
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